A believer’s life is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. One way to think about this is that every motive, deed, and word is a building material for our spiritual house. All that we have said and done in Jesus’ name will be incorporated into this structure, but it will also include sin, negative attitudes, and good deeds done with wrong motives. Not all if it will last, however—someday, when we stand in the Savior’s holy and just presence, the only things that will remain are what we’ve done to glorify Jesus.

The apostle Paul warned believers to build with care because on the day of judgment, fire will test the quality of each person’s work—this refers to the purifying presence of Jesus Christ. The judgment of believers is about rewards. In the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus explained the basic concept to His disciples: “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Our time on earth is the beginning of an eternity serving and rejoicing in the Lord.

Wise people plan for the future (Prov. 27:12). I want to receive as much of God’s goodness as He offers, so I’m determined to build with top-quality, enduring materials. The privilege of serving here is only the beginning of the rewards. In heaven, God’s generosity will be even more abundantly unleashed.

It all starts with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ provides a relationship with the Father and eternal life through His death on the cross and resurrection, see Romans. 5:10.

Romans. 10:9 promises, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." If you have not yet begun your personal relationship with God, understand that the One who created you loves you no matter who you are or what you’ve done. He wants you to experience the profound depth of His care.

Therefore, tell God that you are willing to trust Him for salvation. You can tell Him in your own words or use this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. Through faith in You, I have eternal life. Thank You also for hearing my prayers and loving me unconditionally. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and determination to walk in the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer, congratulations!

You have received Christ as your Savior and have made the best decision you will ever make—one that will change your life forever!

When we go to church and hear God’s truth, we’re responsible for how we respond to His instructions and convictions. It’s easy to accept and practice things we find effortless or enjoyable, but if the Lord convicts us about a truth we don’t like, we could be tempted to rationalize our disobedience. Perhaps we decide that a certain command doesn’t really apply to us or that God understands there are good reasons why we can’t comply.

All excuses are displeasing to the Lord. A willful refusal to obey His Word has a hardening effect on the heart and, over time, can make us less receptive to the stinging conviction of the Holy Spirit. This may seem to make life more pleasant in the short term, since we don’t feel as guilty. But the end results are painful.

The next time you’re tempted to ignore a divine commandment, remember the cost of Israel’s hard-hearted disobedience. Instead of trusting God, they refused to enter the Promised Land. As a result, they missed settling in their own homeland and instead wandered in the desert for 40 years until that generation died. Let’s learn from the Israelites’ mistakes and pray for softened hearts that are open to the Lord’s voice. 

Have you ever watched an infant eat? A baby clutches the bottle, smacks his lips, and makes noises of contentment. He thoroughly enjoys his milk. But there comes a time when milk doesn’t satisfy a baby’s appetite anymore. That’s when a whole world of culinary possibilities opens up.

Comparing new believers to babies, Peter said that they “long for the pure milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2). You wouldn’t feed a newborn steak and spinach, would you? Well, baby Christians must sip scriptural truths that they understand. Then, they feast on Bible passages, gradually taking in more.

Believers aren’t left alone to make sense of Scripture any more than babies and young children are expected to get their own meals. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word, making the meaning clear to those who seek to understand. Moreover, according to Ephesians 4:11-16, pastors and teachers are charged with equipping the saints for service. They instruct, clarify, and motivate people to grow in their personal faith and to fulfill the church’s purpose of reaching the lost.

God’s Word is a feast for our heart, mind, and spirit. This is one banquet table where there is no such thing as taking too much.

Sometimes we confuse wants and needs. We can become so focused on our wants that they feel critical to our well-being. Then, when God doesn’t meet our “need,” we get angry or frustrated.

If we ever feel this way, we should ask ourselves, Is my petition essential to accomplishing God’s purpose, or is it only for my enjoyment? If we can’t complete the Lord’s plan without something, then it’s a need, and He will answer when we pray for Him to fulfill that requirement (Phil. 4:19).

God is also pleased to satisfy wants that fit within His purpose and will (Psalm 37:4). And while He isn’t obligated to grant wishes or fulfill any plans but His own, He says that those who seek Him won’t lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). Pursuing the Lord above all else means making our desires subject to His will. And when we “delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4), He’ll also shape our desires.

The heavenly Father wants to be His children’s greatest delight—the One in whom fulfillment and satisfaction are found. When that is true in a believer’s life, then he or she does not require a lot of “stuff,” entertainment, or people in order to be happy. Joy is in the Lord.

How do you know who God is? Many people today have arrived at their own perception of Him, based on their personal ideas, reasoning, and desires. And some don’t want anyone interfering with their preconceived notions of God. This is nothing new—it was true in the first century, just as it is today.

Jesus came to His own people, the Jews. But despite the testimony of John the Baptist—that Christ was someone who surpassed him in rank and existed long before arriving on earth—they didn’t want Him. Our Savior came to die in order to save those who would believe in Him, but He also came to explain the Father. Jesus has both the knowledge and the authority to do this, because He is God the Son and the only one who has seen and fully knows God the Father.

Therefore, if you want to know and understand who God is, look at Jesus—not just in the Gospel accounts of His earthly life but in the entire New Testament. This is the best way to make sure that you are not deceived in your understanding of Him. Being confronted with the truth now is much better than discovering too late that you are following the wrong god.

Today the word church is often used differently than the way Scripture defines it. We tend to think of a building with a steeple, a morning or evening service, or even a potluck get-together. In the Bible, however, “church” means a body of believers under the authority of their leader, Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18). And according to God’s Word, the church has three purposes: worship of the Lord, ministry to believers, and outreach to an unbelieving world.

When we exalt the living God and glorify His name, we show our Father that we love Him. Psalm 100:2-4 encourages us to “come before Him with joyful singing” and to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and ... praise.” Christians should be both personally and corporately devoted to God. Teaching and encouraging brothers and sisters produces spiritual fruit in them (Heb. 10:24-25; Col. 3:16). Then they can spread the good news in their own sphere of influence—that through God’s Son, there is not only forgiveness of sin but also life eternal.

Christians meet together regularly to worship, encourage, instruct, and reach those who don’t know Him. In your local fellowship, are you working toward these goals?

One of the benefits of adversity is that it challenges our pride. Paul experienced this kind of intervention through what he called “a thorn in the flesh,” and the Lord used it to hone his effectiveness as a servant of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7).

We don’t usually realize what’s at stake when we allow pride to take root in our life, but it affects how God interacts with us, as He “is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Pride will prevent Christians from reaching the potential of what God wants to do in and through them. Even if the world sees them as a success, a self-motivated and self-empowered ministry lacks value in the Lord’s eyes.

Can you see how much was at stake for Paul—and for believers throughout history? God used the apostle to build up churches and write letters that would become a major portion of our New Testament. When he understood the reason for his “thorn,” Paul reacted with trust and gratitude for the Lord’s wise and loving protection.

Perhaps you can see why adversity may be beneficial for you, too. Each of us has been given areas of influence. Humble yourself today so God can use you greatly.

Imagine receiving a beautifully wrapped gift when there is no special occasion. Inside the package is something very special. Eagerly, you read the card to discover who could have been so generous. To your amazement, you learn that the giver is someone you’ve been unkind to and have even avoided! What do you do?

This scenario is a picture of the Father’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to earth. There was no special occasion; God was determined to save us, despite the fact that we ignore or rebel against Him. This is grace—God’s goodness extended to those who do not deserve it and have no way to earn it.

We see the fullness of God’s grace in His Son. First, Jesus met the requirements of divine law by living perfectly. Second, His sinless life allowed Him to pay the cost of our rebellious ways. Third, Christ sacrificed His life on the cross to pay for our sins— past, present, and future. Fourth, God counts Jesus’ death as payment for every wrong we have done or will do. Fifth, Christ’s righteousness becomes our own righteousness through faith (Rom. 4:5).

What will you do with God’s kind gift of grace—refuse it, or say “thank You” and take steps to know Him?

God’s grace is miraculous. It allows hearts to beat, bodies to heal, and love to be given, regardless of peoples’ opinions of Him. He offers forgiveness to the rebellious, freedom to sinners, and intimacy with Himself to all who trust Christ as Savior. God’s children can approach Him confidently because there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him (Rom. 8:1). What amazing grace!

But that’s not the way things always were. Israel, God’s chosen people, lived under the Law—not under grace. Like us, they were disobedient, so God established the sacrificial system to provide a symbolic way for their wrongdoing to be forgiven.

But since it was humanly impossible to obey every aspect of all 613 commandments God handed down through Moses, the Father graciously sent Jesus to fulfill the Law for us. Our Savior’s sinless life gives us permanent forgiveness because He died once for all sins (Heb. 7:27). The result is that we can approach God’s throne directly.

Believers stand upon the immovable foundation of God’s grace. It covers us like a canopy and surrounds like a protective wall. Let the truth of that sink into your heart and mind so you can become a vessel of the Lord’s love, kindness, and goodness to others.

How would you answer if someone were to ask, “Do you feel good about yourself?” Would your thoughts be filled with self-doubt and second-guessing, or would you be able to stand tall and say, “Yes, I do”?

There are many behaviors and attitudes that clearly cross boundaries—such as unforgiveness, adultery, and greed. But insecurity is different. It’s more like a slow flame burning just beneath the surface, influencing our thoughts and subtly harming us from within. This issue is harder to identify, but it’s powerful and can impact how we respond to God’s call.

What do we mean by insecurity? It’s a feeling of inadequacy, often compounded by a sense of complete helplessness, purposelessness, disapproval, or rejection. All of these things can slowly accumulate and weigh us down if we don’t learn how to identify them.

Try spending time today in earnest prayer and honest self-discovery. Ask the heavenly Father to shine His light on any area of insecurity that may be a burden on your heart. Let Him remind you just how special you are in His eyes. After all, our value comes from being God’s children, and that will never change.

Yesterday we defined insecurity and saw how it could weigh us down. Today let’s look at some common causes. Insecurity can come from:

Rejection. When we grow up thinking no one really likes us, we turn into chronically reluctant adults who lack confidence.

Tragedy. Traumatic circumstances like a broken home, the death of a loved one, or abusive relationships can open the door for insecurity.

Poor body image. Whether it’s body shape, hair loss, or disability, physical appearance can lead people to see themselves in a negative light. The resulting shame and self-consciousness can permeate interactions with others.

Comparison. People sometimes become preoccupied with those who seem smarter, wealthier, nicer-looking, more successful, and so on. This makes individuals feel overshadowed and creates doubt in their own ability to achieve.

Failure. Because we pour time and resources into our work, families, and life goals, a setback in any of these areas can crush our spirit.

If this sounds familiar, examine your heart carefully. Ask yourself, In what area of life might I have deep insecurity? Remember, today’s psalm says God has crowned us “with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:5). That’s who we really are.

Passion to serve the Lord and share the gospel will ebb and flow throughout a believer’s life. Some choose to settle for a lukewarm existence—neither risking much for His name nor receiving many blessings. Others stop ministering altogether and drift aimlessly through life. But whenever we feel indifferent, we should try to rekindle the flame of passion that was first lit at the moment of salvation.

When we were saved, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, the first step is to pray for the Holy Spirit to fill—or control—us afresh. That requires self-examination and repentance of any sins the Lord brings to mind. It also means giving back to God the right to reign over our life.
Next, think about what was (and what wasn’t) happening in life when passion last burned brightly. What external pressures and activities affected your ministry then and now? How can you prioritize such things wisely?

Finally, devote a day or more to retreat and refocus on the Lord. Meditate on His words of encouragement, such as Isaiah 41:10. This way, instead of fixating on our problems, we can remember He is our shepherd in every situation. The passion we experienced at salvation can be ours again as we focus on the Lord.

To trust that biblical promises are true requires faith. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV). At salvation, we believed through faith that we were saved by God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

Since then, many of us have struggled to believe consistently that God’s promises are true—or that they apply to us. Our faith has been mixed with doubt. Sometimes we feel unsure of God’s love or forgiveness. At other times, especially when life gets hard, we question whether we’ve truly been given all that we need. If prayers are not answered as we expect, we wonder whether the Lord really cares about us. In such instances, our feelings and circumstances cloud what we truly believe.

The good news is that Scripture can help us gain confidence in times of uncertainty. It can be trusted because the author—God Himself—is trustworthy. As we study its pages, the Holy Spirit works through our doubt, and the promises of God begin to sink in.

Remember, Jesus invites us to bring our burden of doubt to Him. We can trust that He will give us rest from it (Matt. 11:28).

On occasion, every believer faces moments of doubt. Perhaps a prayer goes unanswered, or our obedience is met with worsening circumstances. Or maybe someone’s criticism makes us question our ability to carry out God’s plan.

Doubting God’s character can hinder our ...

Fellowship with Him. Believers live by faith, which is the only way to please God (Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:6). Doubt undermines faith and causes insecurity.

Prayer life. The impossible becomes possible for those who believe God and do not doubt (Matt. 21:21).

Kingdom service. The Lord asks Christians to do God-sized tasks and promises the Holy Spirit will empower them to do so. If we doubt, we won’t answer the call or complete the job.

Blessings. Doubt prevents us from experiencing joy in the Lord and the peace Jesus gives (John 14:27).

Spiritual uncertainty can come from a variety of sources: unconfessed sin or lingering guilt; tunnel vision on circumstances; and misunderstanding or ignorance of the truths of Scripture. When it comes, try following these steps:
• Identify what is causing you not to trust God.
• Recall a time when He sustained you through a trial.
• Identify a promise or attribute of God that points the way back to faith.

Each of us has a sin debt that we owe to God, but we’ve got no way to pay for it. None of our solutions—living a moral life, being religious, or doing more good deeds—can take care of our problem.

God Himself has provided the solution—one that both satisfies His justice and grants us mercy. He sent His Son to pay the penalty we owed, and Jesus was qualified because He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21). He willingly took our place on the cross and experienced the full measure of the Lord’s wrath against our sinfulness. In dying for us, Christ secured our salvation.

Unfortunately, however, some people have heard this news and rejected it. They’re like the rich young ruler who placed his trust in material possessions and turned his back on the truth. Others refuse to even listen, and some think they’re heaven-bound on the basis of their good deeds. But only those who have entered into a relationship with Jesus will be welcomed into heaven.

If you’re wondering, How can I have eternal life? there is only one answer: through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). When we trust in Jesus and surrender our life to Him, He becomes our personal Savior and Lord.

Sharing our faith is an important part of the Christian life—that is the way others come to know Jesus Christ. But how are we to communicate this good news? Often when the Lord opens a door for a spiritual conversation, we’re unsure what to say and wonder if our message will be rejected. What’s more, if the other person is a family member or coworker, we may worry that being forthright about our beliefs will strain the relationship.

When Paul came to the city of Corinth, He came “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3). But his concern was for the people’s salvation—not for himself. He didn’t try to manipulate the Corinthians into receiving Christ as Savior, nor did he try to impress them with his knowledge and wisdom. He came in humility, fully relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to save lost souls.

That’s exactly how we should approach witnessing—by getting our mind off ourselves and trusting the Lord to use us in our fear and weakness. So let’s stop focusing on how we might be perceived or whether we’ll be rejected. Instead, remember that as we share the gospel, God will save those who are lost.

In the gospel of John, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Helper whom He would send to enable and instruct believers. One of the Holy Spirit’s responsibilities is to help us in prayer. He knows about temptations or experiences ahead, so He prompts us to talk to our Father.

It’s important, then, to pay attention anytime you sense a need to pray. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, we are told not to “quench the Spirit,” as ignoring that divine prodding can lead down paths God never intended for us.

The Holy Spirit sometimes burdens us specifically to pray for someone else. In this way, He offers Christians the opportunity to participate in God’s work. On many occasions, I’ve received calls asking if I was going through a tough time, and invariably, my caller had been praying for me. 

This burdening of our heart to pray for ourselves or for others is a special demonstration of God’s love. By calling us to prayer, He can make us sensitive to our surrounding circumstances or prepare us for a trial He knows is coming. Listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and allowing ourselves to be prepared is how we, in turn, display our love for God.

How do you react when you see people being hostile toward Christian beliefs? Do you let your anger simmer, get into an argument on Facebook, or just keep quiet? It’s difficult to know how to respond to those who show antagonism to our faith, but Peter gives us good advice in today’s passage.

Be willing to suffer or be misunderstood. Since the world finds holiness, obedience, and reverence for God confusing or even offensive, taking a stand for righteousness may bring you criticism instead of praise. Don’t fear the intimidation, but remember that when you are persecuted, you are blessed (Matt. 5:10).

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart. A follower of Jesus is no longer enslaved to the world but is now a slave of Christ and His righteousness (Rom. 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:22).

Always be ready to give a defense for your hope. This is to be done gently and respectfully—never with anger or condemnation.

Keep a good conscience. You can’t foresee how God may use your example. Perhaps your righteous behavior and words will influence others to see their own sin and turn to Christ.

Even though our culture looks very dark, Christ can use your light to show someone the way to the Jesus.

John warns us not to love the world or the things in it. But what is the world? The apostle isn’t talking about the material realm, so there’s no need to deprive ourselves of everything we enjoy in life. Rather, he is reminding us that every good desire can be perverted by sinful longings and pride.

The nature of the world system is seen in the behaviors, attitudes, and ambitions of our culture:

Immorality. Our society seeks to gratify lust in ways that God has forbidden. Immorality has even entered our homes through the internet and television. 

Greed. The culture is driven by a desire for wealth, material possessions, fame, and power—and some people lie, cheat, steal, or kill to get what they want.  

Pride. People are lovers of self and want to be seen as better than others. It’s common today to portray oneself falsely on social media in order to be admired. 

Despite the sinful condition of our culture, we shouldn’t be discouraged. God is greater than the world’s power to entice, and His purposes aren’t thwarted by sin. He is able to guide us through the darkness as we trust and follow Him.

Nothing drains spiritual energy like fear. When believers are repeatedly worried about their salvation, anxiety can cloud their thoughts and distract them from God’s purpose for their life. Furthermore, it robs them of the peace and joy that the Lord promised His followers.

There are several reasons why some Christians struggle with doubts about whether they are saved:

Sin. Salvation brings forgiveness and a righteous standing before God. But when we focus on our sins and failures, we may doubt that God could forgive us. 

Emotions. Sometimes we rely solely on our feelings, rather than the truth of God’s Word, to determine our salvation.

Immaturity. Due to ignorance of Scripture or the slow process of change, new believers may begin to question whether they are truly saved.

Legalism. Some Christians evaluate their eternal security by their performance. If they fall short of a standard they themselves set, uncertainty can take root.

1 John 3:19 says we can know that we are of the truth and assure our heart before God. The word assure means to pacify and calm our soul so we’re not consumed by fearful doubts that prevent us from enjoying our new life in Christ.

Scripture details the courageous way Paul handled trials. He was opposed by religious leaders, manhandled by magistrates, and mobbed by crowds. Yet through it all, he stood firm. How did he do this?

Let’s look at Paul’s own testimony. He said he came to the Corinthians in weakness, and he spoke with fear and trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3). He claimed that he had been pushed beyond his ability to endure (2 Corinthians 1:8). In fact, once his fear was so strong that an angel exhorted him not to be afraid (Acts 27:24). He was human, just as we are.

What did Paul know that would also help us? Wherever the apostle was, God was personally present. He trusted in the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and he also took heart from the Lord’s reassurance of His nearness (Acts 18:9). Although it appeared that Paul stood alone before his accusers, he recognized he was actually in the Lord’s company. With almighty God standing beside him, he didn’t have to be afraid.

Because we belong to Jesus Christ, we can know that God is always with us. We, too, have the Savior’s unending pledge of nearness and the Holy Spirit as our permanent companion. As we embrace these truths, we will discover the courage to face life’s trials.  I feel braver already. What about you?

When we recognize God’s presence with us, courage starts to develop in us. It grows as we draw on His strength. Without God’s power, we’ll find that hardship and stress drain us emotionally and hurt us physically, leaving us vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.

After 40 years of wandering, the nation of Israel was in such a state. They should have believed the two spies who trusted in the Lord’s presence and power. But instead, allowing their weakness to hold sway, the people sided with the remaining ten spies, who claimed the Canaanite obstacles were too great (Num. 13:26-32).

In contrast, Paul faced the Roman tribunal after enduring great hardship but was not dismayed, because God stood with him and strengthened him. Times of helplessness and weakness are in reality opportunities to receive an abundance of divine power (Phil. 4:13).

Being yielded to God’s purposes is essential for developing courage. Paul knew God had a plan for every event in his life—even the hardest ones. Instead of seeking a way out of trials, accept God’s way, and you’ll find courage welling up from within. Imagine yourself standing next to God, drawing on His strength.

Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). In Bible times, the lowest servant of the house washed dusty feet. So the disciples must have been surprised when Jesus performed this humble task for them. He explained His shocking behavior by saying, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).

Based on those words, many churches have turned foot washing into an ordinance; they believe that this act shows Christlikeness and demonstrates willingness to serve. Perhaps that’s true for some believers, but many perform the ceremony by rote. Jesus’ message to the disciples and to modern believers is not literally to wash dirty feet, but rather to serve one another with humility and love.

True servanthood is not a popular topic because many people regard it as beneath them. But God wants us to see ourselves as living sacrifices. To serve the Lord well, we must be willing do whatever He asks for whomever He asks. Our Christlikeness is evident when we love God and others so much that we willingly humble ourselves for their sake.

Jesus performed one of the lowliest tasks of His day to demonstrate His servanthood. What are you willing to do for Him?

Trying to earn the Lord’s favor feels like running a marathon with no finish line, climbing a never-ending mountain, or paddling frantically in the rapids while going nowhere.  Such attempts to work our way to God are exhausting and fruitless because we can never be good enough or do enough to earn His acceptance. There is only one way to receive our heavenly Father’s favor, and that’s by faith in His Son, who did all the work for us.

God sought us while we were still sinners, and He sent His Son to live a perfect life and die a substitutionary death on our behalf. Christ took our sins and offers us His righteousness; all we have to do is believe and receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

The Lord’s favor is unmerited and cannot be earned. It is given freely to the undeserving through faith in Christ and continues throughout the believer’s life. It empowers obedience, gives victory over sin, and provides open access to the Father for prayer. God’s rich and abundant favor is readily available to all who will receive it by faith.

Once we have received the favor of God through salvation, does it matter how we behave? Today’s passage responds with an emphatic yes. After receiving God’s gracious salvation, we are not to continue acting in ways displeasing to Him. Instead we’re to walk in newness of life and consider ourselves dead to sin.

This truth is affirmed by Paul’s life. Upon his conversion, the apostle was radically changed, and he began living with single-minded devotion and obedience to Christ. After being rescued from bondage to sin and receiving the best possible Master, he’d have been foolish to return to his former state. 

Divine grace frees us so that we are no longer slaves to sin—we are not just rescued from its penalty. And because our heavenly Father empowers us to know Him through Scripture, we can live in a manner that honors Him and produces lasting fruit.

How well do you know God? Pleasing Him requires learning to think the way He does, and this means His Word must be a vital part of your life. It also necessitates choosing His way over your own. Although this may seem like a costly way to live, the outcome is worth every sacrifice.

Look into any healthy church, and you will find believers who are actively serving the Lord as well as some who are not. But Christ’s church was never meant to resemble a sporting event with a few participants on the field and many spectators in the stands. Although some may be uninvolved because of apathy, there are many Christians who just feel inadequate. But a believer’s limitations are no excuse, because God has provided everything we need to serve successfully.

On our own, every one of us is ill-equipped because human strength and talent are insufficient for service to God. Therefore, the Lord has given each of us specific divinely empowered abilities called spiritual gifts to use in doing the work of Christ. We can’t choose for ourselves what our gift will be; this is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit. He alone knows exactly what He wants to accomplish and enables each of us accordingly.

The Spirit’s gifts are to be used for the common good of the church. Though given to us, they’re intended for the benefit of others. Our responsibility is to start serving, and in doing so, we will begin to discover how unified the body of Christ really is. 

In today’s reading, Peter separates the spiritual gifts into two categories: gifts of serving and speaking. However, within these two groups are an endless variety of ways service for Christ is put into action. Even if two believers have the same gifting, they will express it in unique ways—and with different results.

We should remember that though there are a variety of gifts, ministries, and outcomes, the Holy Spirit is the source of them all, and God is the one doing the work (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). For instance, the teaching gift has a wide range of applications. It can be used by one person to instruct toddlers while someone else uses it to teach seminary students. Both uses are essential in God’s eyes and bring Him glory.

God doesn’t rank the spiritual gifts, so never think that yours isn’t important. What He desires is faithfulness in employing it.

In today’s passage, Paul tells a young pastor named Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). But this command isn’t limited to pastors; every believer needs to be a faithful soldier of Christ. That’s because we’re all in a battle—not against people but against spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:12).

This war began when Satan and other angels rebelled against God. Then Satan tempted Eve to disobey the Lord as well. As a result of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, the earth was cursed, and the entire human race was corrupted by sin. Ever since that day, the battle for truth and righteousness has raged.

Although we may often feel overwhelmed by temptations and deceptions, Jesus modeled the path to victory when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). He used only one weapon to refute each enticement and falsehood—the Word of God.

This is the same powerful weapon our heavenly Father has given us to fight the good fight. When we view daily battles biblically with full reliance on the trustworthiness and authority of Scripture, we can flee sin, pursue righteousness, and stand firmly for the truths of the faith.

Waiting on God stretches our trust in Him, especially when we are urgently longing for His intervention or guidance in a situation. From our earthly perspective and with our limited knowledge, it may seem as if He doesn’t care, but that is far from the truth.

God uses times of waiting to strengthen our trust in Him, and reminding ourselves of His character and abilities helps build confidence in our Father. So as you wait, remember:

• The Lord has all-encompassing knowledge of every detail of your circumstances.
• He has complete understanding of the motives and intentions of everyone involved in your situation.
• God’s power is greater than all your efforts to solve your problems. Neither you nor anyone else can thwart His plans.
• His eye is always on you during the wait, and He is your help and protection.
• His lovingkindness continually rests upon you.

Whenever you’re overcome with a sense of urgency or uncertainty, remember who God is and what He has promised to do for you. Although He may not work everything out as you desire, it will be according to His perfect wisdom and for your good—and in this you can rejoice.

When I was a young boy, my mother let me plant some seeds in her garden. Although she explained that the plants would take time to appear, when nothing happened after several days, I decided to dig them up to check for progress. I found no plants, but what’s worse, I also ruined the possibility of ever seeing any.

Hebrews 11 records examples of people who by faith waited for what God promised, even when it wasn’t visible.  

• Noah continued building an ark despite the many intervening years until the predicted flood (Heb. 11:7).
• Abraham looked forward to the land God promised, though the fulfillment did not take place during his lifetime (Heb. 11:8-10).
• Sarai had to wait until she was well beyond childbearing age before God finally gave her the son He’d promised (Heb. 11:11-12).

If we expect God to work according to our timetable, we’re likely to face disappointment. The people mentioned in Hebrews had to wait many years; in fact, some of the promises made to them won’t be fulfilled until after Christ returns. The Lord doesn’t work like a gumball machine—we can’t cash in a promise and assume the fulfillment will pop out. Ours is a long-term walk by faith.

Faith and obedience are traveling companions heading to the same destination of pleasing and glorifying the Lord. They grow together simultaneously as they are practiced but wither if neglected. Therefore, God sometimes brings new challenges into our lives to strengthen our trust and submission to Him. 

Elijah was a prophet who had proven himself faithful to the Lord. Even when he was told to appear before King Ahab who was seeking to kill him, he obeyed. Obadiah was another faithful servant of God who had rescued other prophets, but when Elijah told him to report his presence to Ahab, Obadiah feared for his life.

Fear short-circuits faith when we begin to doubt that God’s way is really best. If we allow anxiety to gain a foothold in our mind, we’ll respond by refusing to do what the Lord says. The result is a change of traveling companions. Instead of faith and obedience, we start walking with doubt and rebellion.

Great faith begins with small steps. When you follow God’s Word, an ever-increasing cycle of faith and obedience begins. Don’t let fear rob you of the blessings God has planned for your life.

During the days of King Ahab, Israel was pulled in two directions. Ahab had instituted Baal worship, but Elijah challenged Israel to follow God. When He pressed the people to make up their minds about whom to serve, they were speechless.

The Old Testament presents idolatry as a serious issue, but in this modern civilized world worship of idols seems archaic and irrelevant. However, we are sometimes just like the Israelites—we can’t make up our minds about whom to serve.

If something or someone has higher value and priority to us than Christ, we are trying to serve two masters, which Jesus says is impossible. We will end up loving one and hating the other (Matt. 6:24). God’s generous gifts of relationships, possessions, and meaningful work should never be cherished more than the Giver.

The way your time is used reveals your heart’s priorities. Is a part of each day devoted to God, or is every minute consumed by the demands of life? Or consider the area of dependence. Is there anyone or anything you rely on more than God? If so, it’s time to stop straddling the fence and give your life wholly to God.

We all love the victorious stories in the “Hall of Faith” of Hebrews 11—enemies are defeated, people are rescued, lions’ mouths are shut, and the dead are raised. But what about those who pleased God with their faith yet suffered and died? The last entries in this beloved chapter convey a spiritual reality many people today are reluctant to embrace—that faith is not a means by which we get God to do what we want.

We who belong to Jesus Christ have God’s promise that He will heal all our diseases, rescue us from every trouble, and give us great riches—not now, but in eternity. The Lord said, however, that in the meantime we can expect tribulation, persecution, and suffering (John 15:18-21). So it’s important to remember that faith doesn’t rescue us from all this but will get us through it.
God wants us to remain steadfast in the face of affliction and temptation. Like Moses, we may be called on to endure “as seeing Him who is unseen” (Heb. 11:27). So let’s place our hope in God and hold fast to Him in faith through good times and bad.  

A life of strong faith doesn’t happen automatically or without any effort on our part. Although we are not saved by our own endeavors, spiritual growth requires the appropriation of all the means God has provided to help us walk faithfully with Him. We should ...

• Learn from the lives of past heroes of the faith, like those we read about yesterday in Hebrews 11. Knowing that others have faithfully navigated the stormy seas of life encourages us to persevere as well.

• Rid ourselves of any habitual sins or other burdens that hinder us from wholehearted devotion and obedience to the Lord.

• Focus on Jesus, not on ourselves or our desires.

Christ has gone before us to model how to live faithfully, no matter how difficult the circumstances. He demonstrated perfect trust, always doing exactly what His Father commanded—even going to the cross. Jesus endured shame and suffering by focusing on the joy that would be His in the completed redemption of a people for God’s glory.

Are you looking to Christ for the strength and perspective needed to run life’s race with faith-filled endurance?

Do you ever look at your circumstances and see no possible way the Lord could bring something good from them? What benefit could come from illness, unemployment, a broken family, or other difficulties? While we can’t always understand what God is doing, there is one thing we can do—trust Him to use our situation for His own glorious purposes.

Although Paul’s imprisonment may have seemed like the end of his ministry opportunities, God actually used it to further the gospel. Not only was the apostle able to reach Roman guards, but his incarceration also inspired others to preach boldly, whether from good motives or bad. And in facing the threat of a death sentence, Paul recognized that, whether in his execution or in the continuation of life, it was yet another chance to glorify the Lord.

Paul’s responses prove it is possible in every circumstance to live in a manner that exalts Jesus Christ. And the same Holy Spirit who helped the apostle will help any willing believer today. When we view life from God’s perspective, every hardship becomes an opportunity to trust His good purpose, fully depend on Him, and respond in a manner that glorifies and exalts Christ.

John 10:10 says that through Christ, we are offered a life that’s abundant and fully alive. Yet how many of us would say we’ve fully appropriated that life? Sadly, not many. We tend to define “fully alive” by earthly things like relationships, physical health, and tangible possessions. But Jesus had more in mind—specifically, spiritual treasures. Some of these belong to us now, and some are reserved for heaven (Matt. 6:19-20).

In today’s reading, when Paul wrote about being alive in Christ, he used illustrations of circumcision and baptism. To what spiritual treasures do they point?  

Treasure #1—New Nature. From the moment we are saved, Christ lives within us; our old nature is replaced by a spiritually healthy one.

Treasure #2—New Freedom. Our salvation liberates us from the penalty of sin because Jesus canceled our debt at the cross—there is no more guilt (Rom. 8:1). True freedom is more valuable than any earthly possession.

Treasure #3—New Standard of Conduct. Upon salvation, we are delivered from legalism, the expressing of faith by adhering to rules. Instead, we live by faith in Christ and experience an intimate relationship with Him through His Spirit.

We who are alive in Christ possess great, lasting riches (2 Corinthians 8:9). Now that’s living!